Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $16.99 On the nose this chardonnay has creme brulee, Mackintosh’s ‘Harrogate’ and roast peach perfume, while on the palate it’s rich, decently structured and shows solid juiciness right through to the finish. It’s extremely gluggably good. Widely available.
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Morton Estate Black Label Gisborne Chardonnay 2016
Morton Estate Black Label Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $19.99 So here’s where things get really tricky because Lion, (the company that sent me this wine to review) say that it’s recommended retail price (rrp) is $19.99. Yet when you Google this wine, some websites, like www.thegoodwine.co.nz say “rrp $34.99 – but our price $16.99”. www.blackmarket.co.nz have … Read More
Nautilus The Paper Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Nautilus The Paper Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $35 I’m a huge fan of this style of sauvignon blanc. I love that a ‘paper nautilus’ is only released when the fruit is exceptional (and 2016 was a rip roarer of a vintage) and I love that it’s been fermented in just one, single, old French … Read More
Osawa Flying Sheep Limited Release Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Osawa Flying Sheep Limited Release Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $35 Sealed under cork, this vintage is still holding solid acidity and freshness and tropical tones, yet the positively demure 11%alc kind of makes the wine feel a little meh and mediocre in the mid-palate. It’s ok but not great and for $35 I’d be … Read More
Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014v While I’m pretty sure the 2018 is out in the market now, there’s still a fair bit of the 2017 lurking around, so I thought I’d taste it again. While the aromas are quite attractive (think bruised basil, capsicum, passionfruit, peach) – the palate is all a bit meh. There’s … Read More
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 $17.99 No surprises as to why this wine is one of the biggest supermarket favourites in the country. Aromas wise it ticks all the boxes. Pear – yes. Apple – yes. Nashi – yes. Quince – sort of. On the palate there’s upfront sweetness, with a soft, white pepper … Read More
Neudorf Moutere Riesling Dry 2017
Neudorf Moutere Riesling Dry 2017 ($29) Crafted from a concoction of three different clones harvested in cooler conditions than usual in the Moutere. It has fullness and funk from its 100% wild ferment, alongside soft lime and bruised apple aromatics, a hint of biscuity, nutty niceness and long, elegant acidity on the finish. It’s fantastic.
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $36.99 You know how some chardonnay’s look great in the adverts and there’s a lot of marketing guffery and so you buy it. But when it arrives it tastes like the same version of disappointment you get when you buy a dress off instagram, which, when delivered, is actually a sack … Read More
Catalina Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Catalina Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $24 Passionfruit. check. Lime. Check. Crushed herbs. Check. Cut grass and capsicum. Check. Spark and personality? Hmmm not so much. I was expecting a punch in the face, but got a flick from a damp teatowel instead. It’s an ok drink, but for $24 it’s lacking pungency and … Read More
Durvillea Marlborough Chardonnay 2016
Durvillea Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 $15.99 It beggars belief at how this wine can sell for under $20. It is such a complete and beautifully rewarding and generously proportioned wine that it should be double the price. With roast stonefruit notes, caramelised oak, fresh, flirtatious acidity, and creamy complexity, it’s a buxom and generous chardonnay that’s seriously … Read More